The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED ROVER, RED ROVER

IN THIS GAME, TWO LINES ARE FORMED OPPOSITE EACH OTHER.
THE CHILDREN JOIN HANDS OR ARMS TO TRY TO FORM AN
IMPENETRABLE LINE. ONE TEAM CALLS A MEMBER FROM THE
OPPOSING TEAM:
RED ROVER, RED ROVER, LET (NAME) COME OVER.
FROM HIS OR HER SIDE, THE CHILD STARTS TO RUN,
BUILDING UP SPEED AND FORCE. HE TRIES TO BREAK THROUGH
THE LINE BY BREAKING THE GRIPS OF THE FIRST TEAM.
IF HE IS ABLE TO GO THROUGH, HE TAKES A MEMBER OF THAT
TEAM TO HIS TEAM, THIS PERSON MUST JOIN THAT TEAM AND
ADD ONTO THE LINE. IF HE DOESN'T BREAK THROUGH, HE MUST
REMAIN WITH THAT TEAM AND JOIN THE LINE.
NOW THE OTHER TEAM CALLS SOMEONE FROM THE FIRST TEAM.
THE GAME IS CONTINUED UNTIL THERE IS NO ONE LEFT ON ONE
TEAM. THE WINNING TEAM IS THE ONE WHICH HAS CAPTURED
ALL THE PLAYERS.

Submitter comment: I PLAYED THIS IN GRADE SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-18-1967